On Your Way to Akihabara? Here’s How Not to Get Lost!
Akihabara is one of the well-known sightseeing spots in Tokyo you shouldn’t miss a visit to.
In the main area of Electric Town, you’ll find a variety of shops, such as maid cafes, retail electronics stores, as well as shops that sell anime and other subculture-related goods. It is buzzing with visitors no matter the time of the day.
Although it is visited often, people might feel lost due to all the different exits at the station. It is no wonder, as there are three Akihabara Stations! On top of this, each station has different exits.
In this article, we will explain how not to get lost on your way to the electric town area from the three stations.
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Three Akihabara Stations
There are three Akihabara Stations: a JR (East Japan Railway Company) station, a station on Tokyo Metro's Hibiya Line, and a Tsukuba Express station. To get to Electric Town, try to use the JR Electric Town Exit, as it will make it easier to understand the directions from there on.
We highly recommend travelers use the JR Pass and the Tokyo Subway Ticket to save money on traveling on JR trains, the Tokyo Metro, and Toei Subway. These discount passes not only help with navigating to and around Akihabara but throughout the rest of Tokyo and beyond.
Book the JR Pass and Tokyo Subway Ticket
JR Akihabara Station
At JR Akihabara Station, you can ride on three different lines: the Yamanote Line, Keihin-Tohoku Line, and Chuo-Sobu Line. JR is very convenient for those who have the Japan Rail Pass, as they can use it there and take advantage of special offers.
It takes about 4 minutes (140 yen) to get to Akihabara Station from Tokyo Station, about 30 minutes (200 yen) to get there from Shibuya Station, and about 20 minutes (170 yen) to get to Akihabara Station from Shinjuku Station.
Tokyo Metro Akihabara Station (Hibiya Line)
If you intend to visit Akihabara from Roppongi, Ginza, or Tsukiji, we suggest using the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line.
It will take you about 22 minutes (200 yen) from Roppongi, 12 minutes (170 yen) from Ginza, and about 9 minutes (170 yen) from Tsukiji.
Tsukuba Express Akihabara Station
This line connects Akihabara Station with Tsukuba Station in Ibaraki Prefecture, via the northern part of Chiba Prefecture.
If you use the Tsukuba Express to reach Akihabara Station from Asakusa Station, it will take you 4 minutes and 210 yen.
Now, let's see how you can safely and easily get to the electric town via each line.
1. How to Reach Electric Town from Each of the JR Lines
Here, we will introduce the route to Akihabara from the Yamanote Line, Keihin-Tohoku Line, and Sobu Line platforms.
To keep the route as simplest as possible, exit JR Akihabara Station through the Akihabara Electric Town Gate on the 1st floor of the station.
The Yamanote and Keihin-Tohoku Line platforms are located on the 2nd floor, and the Sobu Line platform is on the 3rd floor of the station, so climb up to reach the Akihabara Electric Town Gate.
1-1. From Yamanote Line/Keihin-Tohoku Line Platforms
The Yamanote and Keihin-Tohoku lines use the same platform on the second floor, so you have to look for an escalator or stairs to go down.
There are three escalators and stairs that’ll take you down at the platform.
If you head downstairs to the 1st floor by either the escalator or the stairs, you will see a yellow sign like the one shown in the picture. Just follow the direction written on the sign to reach the Electric Town Gate.
You’ll see the electric town gate in around 2 minutes!
On the other side of the gate is a yellow sign. Although you can head to the town from the left side (Electric Town South Exit), as well, this time we will use the Electric Town North Exit with many signs.
As soon as you get out of the station, you’ll find yourself in an open space.
Head straight towards the red building of Sega Akihabara Building No. 1, which can be seen at the end and on the left side of the street in front of you.
The road in front of the Sega building is the main street of the electric town, Chuo-dori!
1-2. From Sobu Line Platform
Now, we will explain how to get to the electric town from the Sobu Line platform on the 3rd floor. First, head to the Electric Town Gate on the 1st floor, as was the case with Yamanote and Keihin-Tohoku Lines.
Upon getting of the train, look for the yellow sign with “Electric Town Gate” written on it.
If you follow the directions on the sign, you should be able to see the escalator, so use it to go down.
This time also, when you get off the escalator, you’ll end up in an open space.
On the pillar and boards you’ll see the Electric Town Gate sign, so follow the instructions and head straight forward from there.
Upon turning right, you’ll see the escalator and the stairs to get down after a little bit of walking, use one of those to head down.
On the bottom of the stairs is another open space on the 1st floor. Go straight ahead to reach the Electric Town Gate.
From this point on, the directions to reach the electric town are the same as for the Yamanote and Keihin-Tohoku Line platforms.
2. How to Reach Electric Town from Tokyo Metro Akihabara Station (Hibiya Line)
If you are using the Hibiya Line, look for the exit 3 after you go out the ticket gate! Keep in mind that the electric town area is a bit further away from the Hibiya Line than other stations.
As you pass exit 3, Yodobashi Akiba, a home appliance and electronics store, should appear in your sight. Head towards the store’s entrance as shown in the picture (marked with the red arrow).
Turn left in a passage that will appear while heading toward the entrance.
The passage will lead you outside. Cross the road in front of you.
Upon crossing the road, walk some more and you should be able to see JR Central Gate on your left. Head on along the gate but do not enter.
Keep going straight, and you’ll end up at the entrance to the passage that runs east-west on your right. Go through the passage shown in the picture.
Voila! The very electric town is in front of you! Head straight on and you’ll see the town’s main street, Chuo-dori.
3. How to Reach Electric Town from Tsukuba Express Line
Finally, here’s how to get to Akihabara’s Electric Town via the Tsukuba Express!
If you use Tsukuba Express Akihabara Station, look for the exit A1.
After using exit A1, go to the above-ground level and you'll see the shops and escalator pictured above. At the far right side of the escalator, there is a passage that goes east-west. After this, the way to get to Electric Town is the same as the Hibiya Line!
Smooth Sightseeing in Akihabara!
How was your quest to safely reach Electric Town? When using the JR Line, just follow the instructions on the board and you’ll end up at the Electric Town Gate in no time. The Hibiya and TX (Tsukuba Express) stations are also simple once you know the way: remember to use the big passage.
If by any chance you feel insecure about the directions, however, don’t hesitate to ask people nearby. We hope you have a fun time exploring Akihabara!
